Radiographic apparatus



2 1 March 9, I 927 J. R. KELLEY RADIOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed may 17. 192e 2 sheets-sheen' Ul 7 I uw@ 6 2 1 1622 321 MamiA 9 927* J. R. KELLEY RADIOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed May 17, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 llillllllil Patented Mar. 29,A 1927.

UNETED STATES JOHN .ROBERT KELLEY, F COVINGTON, KEN TUCKYL RADIOGRAPHIC APPARATUS.

Application ined May 17,

My invention relates to improvements in radiographic apparatus. One of its objects is to provide in'iprovcd apparatus whereby the l-ray generating member or tube may be adjusted during the interval between two photographic exposures without liability to @et up vibrations in the apparatus, which vibrations would be liable to affect the quality and accuracy of the negatives and positives result-ing from such exposures made while the apparatus was vibra-ting. Another object is to provide improved radiographic apparatus adapted to taire stereoe radiographs by shifting the position of the -ray generator y.during the interval bletween two closely following photographic exposures without liability to set up vibration in the supporting apparatus due to shifting the position of the 'Xa-ay generating apparatus. Another object is to provide improved apparatus adapted to permit relatively quick adjustment of X-ray generators during the interval. between two photographic exposures without developing vibration in the apparatus, and which is not materially altered or affected by the amount of or by changes in the weight of the X- ray generators. My invention also oomprlses certain details of form and arrangement, and combination of components, all of which will be fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawings, in which -1 Fig. 1 is a plan of a radiographic apparatus embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the appara tus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to F ig. 2 of part of the appartus thereof in a differentposition of adjustment.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail through one of the actuating electrical solenoids.

Fig. 6 is a detail of one of the plate holder latches and latch releasing structures.

Fig. 7 is a wiring diagramV illustrating one means of releasing and shifting the photographic plates and the X-ray generating member. f

Fig. 8 is a detail of the plate holder frame and plate holders.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the preferred embodiment of my invention in which represents a stationary frame upon which is mounted a photographic plate holder carriage 16,'which is guided vertically by 1926. Serial No. 109,610.

the vertical tubular guides 17 of the frame 15, and which is counterbalanced so as to move readily and freely from one position to another by meansof counterweights located and movable Avertically within the tubes 17. At the upper ends of the tubes 17 are stationary plates 18 upon which are mounted and journaled sprocket wheels 19 over which are drawn sprocket chains 20. Th vse chains are connected at one end to the plate holderr'carriage, and at their opposite ends to the counterweights located within the tube 17. The exterior of the tubes 17 are preferably'provided with racks 21 and which are engaged by piniens 28 upon a shaft 24.- journaled to the carriage 16 and Vactuated by hand wheels at either end there-k of to raise or lower the carriage 16. vThe carriage 16 may be pushed by hand upor down to any desired position, which it will retain until moved to another position. A shaft 26 journaled to the carriage 16 is provided vvith and adapted to actuate and release clamping jaws, which clamp the carriage rigidly upon the tubes 17 to any dcsired position of adjustment.

A platel holder carrying frame 27 is pendulously supported within the frame or housing of the carriage 16 by means of links y28 and 29 which are pivotally attached at their upper ends to the carriage 16 at 74C and and at their lower ends are pivotally attached to theplate holder carrying frame 27 at 76 and 77. The frame of the carriage 16 comprises two sections 30 and31 which are impervious to light rays and impervious to X-rays, and a central section 32 which is pervious to X-rays but impervious to light rays. The frame 27 is adapted vto support two or more` photographic plate holders 78 and 79 side by side so as tov expose one of said plate holders in rear of the section 32 oit' the carriage 16, with the other plate holder in position in rear of one or other vof the sections 30 and 31. By a pendulous movement of the plate holder frame 27, the opposite plate holder is adapted to be shifted to position in rear of the carriage section 32, and theplate holder originally in rear of the carriage section 32 shifted to a posi-y tion in rear of one of the carriage sections 30 or 31. l

The plate holder carrying frame 27 is provided with flexible'fingers 311 and 35 at opposite ends thereof attached preferably to the lower ends of the links 28and 29. These flexible lingers are designed to each enter' parting vibration to the frame 27 or carriage 16 dueto such pendulous movement of the frame 27. The finger 34 or 35 enters freely between the jaws 36 Vand 37, lifting the spring actuated jaw away from the rigid jaw against the action of its spring 38, until the finger has reached its maximum movement and comes to a .position of rest whereupon the spring actuated `jaw 37 grips the flexible linger rigidly against the fare of the rigid jaw 36 before the frame 27 has had a chance to commence its retrograde movement, or to acquire velocity of momentum on a retrograde movement, and hence without developing vibration either 1n framev 27 or carriage 16.

A solenoid 39 is adapted when electrically energized to actuate an electro-magnetic armature and cause the end 40 of said armature to engage the upper end of the jaw 37 counteracting the spring 38 and releasing the grip of the jaw 37 upon the flexible linger 34 or 35 to thereby release the frame 27 and permit said frame 27 to make another pendulous movement but in the opposite direction where it-s opposite linger 34 or 35 is gripped by the opposite pair of jaws 86 and 37'. During the interval between two pendulous movements of the frame 27, suffieient static energy is applied or imparted to the frame 27 either automatically or manually to compensate for the energy lost through friction and similar resistance to movement, and to thereby cause the several penduleus movements of the frame 27 to be of substantially equal length, as 'for' instance by anually shifting the weight S0, see Fig. 2, from one to the other side of the center 75,

The patient or object to be radiographed is adapted to stand" in front of the pervious section 32 of the carriage 16, which .is vertically adjustable to positions opposite any portion of the body of the patient when standing', or if desired, the patient may be 'supported upon a hospital cot 42, `which is adapted to be wheeledinto position between the `columns 17 with the patient thereon, and the carriage adjusted vto position and. the patient lifted to a sitting position in front of the carriage section 32, as indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2.

In order to make a radiographic exposure the X-ray generator or tube 44 is detachably mount-ed between the forked ends of a cross'- bar 45 which4 is -pivotally mount-ed 'at 46 upon and relative to a carriage 4S vertically a justable upon a vertical standard v47 which is preferably `rigidly mounted and atnegar-iai tached. at top and bottom relative to the frame 15 and tubes 17. The carriage 48 is preferably coimterbalanced upon the standard 47 by means of a sprocket chain 49 attached at one end to the carriage 48, and leading from thence over the idler pulley 50 at the upper end of the standard 47, and over a sprocket wheel 51 rigidly mounted relative to one of the sprocket wheels 19 so as te rotate in unison there with, and thence to a weight 52. The carriage 48 is thus automatically adjusted up and down upon the standard 47 in unison with the movements of the carriage 16 upon the columns 17, and clampingof the carriage 16 in position serves also to prevent displacement of the carriage 4S.

AFor the talking of stereographic radiographs it is desirable for the X-ray generator 44 and arm 47 to move from one position to another position during the interval that the plate holder frame 27 is making one of its pendulous movements to carry the first or exposed photographic plate away from the rear of section 32 of carriage 16 and in rear of a section 30 or 31 thereof, and at the same time bringing a second or uneXpos-ed plate in position in rearof the carriage section 32. vrllhis movement of the X-ra-y generator 44 and arm 47 should take place in a relatively short interval of time, in order that the position of the object shall not change', and it is important that such movement of the generator 44 and arm 47 shall not develop or set up vibration in the X-ray generator or any of the plate or gen erator supporting members. rI`he fact that -ray generators are frequently changed, and that they vary greatly in weight further complicates the problem of a movement of the generator without developing vibration. Av counterweight adjustable upon the end of arm 45 provides for adjustably counterbalancing different X-ray generators ol" variable weight.

In order to shift the X-ray generator during the interval between the exposure of two sensitive plates and irrespective of any change in the weight of the X-ray genen ator, without developing vibration, l provide an arm depending from the cross bar 45, and provided with a weight or pendulun'i 54 preferably adjustable vertically upon the arm 53 by means of nuts and 56 above and below said pendulum. The pendulum 54 causes the crossbar 45 and X-ray generator to tend' to sway to and fro within prescribed time limits, and at oppo`- site limits of its pendulous movement to come to a position of rest before commencing a'moverrent in the opposite direction.

Inu order to lock the crossba'r 45 and X-ray generator 44 'after they `have vcome to a position of rest and before they have commenced a-movement inthe opposite direction, I proweasel vide a yolre 58 attached rigidly to the crossbar 45. Between the arms of the yoke is an eccentric Wheel 59, which journaled eccentrically upon a stud shaftt 60 relative to the carriage 4S. Also mounted rigidly relative to the eccentric Wheel 59 and pivotally upon the stud shaft 60 is a cam-plate 6l having inc-lined cam Ytac-es G2 and 63 adapted alternately to move into operative relation with the end 64 of an electro-magnetic armature housed Within the electromagnetic coil 65, and adapted to be actuated thereby.

In the position shown in Fig. 2, the periphery ot' the eccentric Wheel is in engagement at opposite edges with the inner tacos oi the yoke 53 with practically no lost motion, and thel eccentric wheel. is upon dead center with reference to any tendency ot the' crossbar 45y yoke 58 or X-ray generator 44 to move. upon their axis 4G, thereby locking` the crossbar 45, X-ray generator 44, and pendulum 54 at one limit of their pendulous movements, and against their natural tendency to move toward a position of equilibrium. The cam face 62 is at the same time in position to be engaged by a thrust of the end of the armature 64 to cause the cam plate 6l and eccentric Wheel 59 to make one halt of a rotation or to reach the position shown in' Fig. 3. The thrust of the end ot the armature 64 furnishes suicient energy in addition to that supplied by the pendulum to causet-he crossbar 45 and pendulum to swing through substantially the same arc of a circle at each operation of the armature 64 and to shift the position of the X-ray generator 44 Without imparting vibration to any portion of the apparatus. Ii.' desired the armature 64 may be manually operated by striking;` the rear end 68 of the armature lightly by hand. The structure of the armatures 64 and 40 and coils 65 and 39 are substantially the same and are each shown in detail in Fig. 5. The coils 39 at opposite ends of the plate holder carriage 16 and the coil 65 are adapted to be connected up in a variety of parallel or independent electrical circuits to be actuated by the operator as may be desired. In Fig. 7 I have shown diagrammatically one type of electrical circuit adapted to be so employed. and in which the tWo coils 39 and the. coil 65 are included,

The apparatus herein shown and described is capable of considerable modification Within the scope ot the claims Without departingr from the spirit of my invention.

Vihat I claim is:

l. A radiographic apparatus comprisiifig` sensitive. plates to be radiographically exposed, an X-ray generator, a pivotally mounted support for said generator having a iendulous movement to adjust the position otl said generator, and. means operable to positively lock said support and generator alternately at opposite extremities of the pendulous movement of said support to thereby adjustsaid X-ray generator from one position to another position Without e citing vibratory movement in said' generator or its supporting members.

2. A radiographic apparatus comprising sensitive plates to be radiographically exposed7 a radiographic generator` a pendulously movable supporting; memberadapted to support and adjust said generator `from one position to another, a locking` nien'iber operable to positively lool; said.supj'iorting` meml er and `Lirenerater at opposite extremities ot the pendulous movement of said supporting men'iber to thereby adjustl said generator from one position to another position without exciting viliiratory movement in said generator or its supporting)` member.

3. A radiographic apparatus comprising` adjustably mounted sensitive plates to be radiographically exposed, a radiographic generator adapted to be adjusted during the time interval between the exposure-oi.i one plate and the exposure of another plate from one position to another position, a pendulously movable generator supporting,v member adapted to support and adjust said lgenerator from one position to another, a"

lockingr member, operative to positively lock said supporting member and eenemor at opposite extremities ot the penonlous movement of said supporting` men'iber to thereby adjust said generatori'rom one position to another position Without exciting vibratory movement in said generator or its supporting member.

4. A radiographic apparatus comprising sensitive plates to be radiographically exposed, a radiographic generaton a pendulously movable. supporting member adapted to support and adjust said `generator troni one position to another position, a locking; member movable from one j iosition to another position and operable to positively release said supporting member from a locked position at one end oi its pendulous movements and to lock it to another position at the opposite extremity oit its pendulous movements to thereby adjust said generator from one position to another position, without exciting vibratory movement in said generator or its supporting member.

5. A radiographic apparatus comprising sensitive plates to be successively radiographically exposed, a radiographic generator pendulously supported and movable cyclicly from one position to another position during' the interval. bet-Ween one radiographic exposure and another radiographic exposure, and a lockingmember movable from one position to another position and operable to release said generator from a locked position at one extremity of its penl itl lll) dulous movements and to lock it to another position at the opposite extremity of its pendulous movements, to thereby adjust said generator from one position to another position Without exciting vibratory movement in said generator.

6. A radiographic apparatus comprising sensitive plates to be successively radiographically exposed, a radiograpic generator, a pendulously movable supporting member adapted to support and adjust said generator from one position to another position, a freely movable reciprocatory eccentric adapted to engage said supporting member and to lock said supporting member and generator at opposite extremities of said pendulous movement to thereby release said supporting member and generator from one position and lock them to another position Without exciting vibratory movement in said generator or its support.

7. A radiographic apparatus comprising sensitive plates to be successively radiographically exposed, a radiographic generator, a pendulously movable supporting member adapted to support and adjust said generator 'from one position to another position, a freely movable reciproca-tory eccentric adapted to engage said supporting member and to lock said supporting member and generator at opposite extremities ot said pendulous movement to thereby release said supporting member and generator from one position and lock them to another position Without exciting vibratory movement in said genera-tor or its support, an eccentric actuating member having a limited movement, and electrically energized mechanism to engage said actuating member to thereby shii't said eccentric from one position to another position. y

8. A radiographic apparatus comprising` a plate holder carriage and a radiographic generator carriage both vertically adjustable and counterbal-anced and connected to move vertically in unison, a plurality of sensitive plates pendulously supported upon said plate holder carriage and adapted to be successively radiographically exposed, a radiographic generator Vpendulously supported relative to said generator carriage and movable cyclicly from one position to another position during the interval between one radiographic exposure and another radiographic exposure, and a locking member movable from one position to another position and operable 'torelease said generator from a locked position at one extremity ot its pendulous movements and to lock it to another position at the opposite extremity ot its pendulous movement, to thereby adjust said generator trom one position to another position without exciting vibratory movement in said generator.

9. radiographie apparatus comprising a plate holder carriage and a radiographie generator carriage both vertically adjustaloie and counterbalanced and connected to move vertically in unison, a plurality ot' sensitive plates pendulously supported upon said plate holder carriage and adapted to be successively radiographically exposed, a radiographic generator pendulously supported relative to said generator carriage and movable cyclicly :trom one position to another position during the interval between one radiographic exposure and another radiographic exposure, a locking member movable from one position to another position and serving to release said generator' from a leclred position at one extremity of its pendulous movement and to lock it to another position at the opposite extremity of its pendulous movement, and means controllable by theoperator to shift said generator locking member 'from one position to another position. i

In testimony whereof l have attixed my signature.

JHN ROBERT KELLEY. 

